# you know
## English
### Etymology

First attested as a filled pause in the early 18th century, as a euphemism in the mid-19th century.

### Pronunciation

* (Received Pronunciation) IPA: /juː nəʊ/
* (General American) IPA: /ju noʊ/
** Audio (Mid-Atlantic US):(file)

### Interjection

you know
* (informal) Expression signifying a pause or hesitation.
** 2002 December 15, “Interview with David Beckham”, in Breakfast with Frost‎, spoken by David Beckham, via BBC:I don’t usually get nervous in games and, you know, taking free kicks and penalties but that’s the first time I’ve been that nervous in, in a game, where I have to, I’m in a situation where I’m, you know […]
** 2013, Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, Before Midnight (motion picture), spoken by Jesse (Ethan Hawke):Once, I remember, I was watching the twins on a trampoline, you know, and they looked so beautiful, and I was happy because they were happy, you know.
* (informal) Expression used to imply meaning, rather than say it, such as when a person is embarrassed.
    A: I heard you want to... do something with me. B: Do what? A: You know... umm... B: Sex? A: Yeah.
* (informal) Used as a rhetorical question to confirm agreement, knowing or understanding at the end of a statement.
    But I guess that's life, you know?
    I just wasn't into it, you know?
** 1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 198:This was already a fresh departure for me. I was not used to get things that way, you know.
** 2024 January 29 [2024 January 26], Tim Lee, Ray Chung, quoting Brendan Kavanagh, “London YouTuber hid in van, received death threats after piano face-off”, in Luisetta Mudie, transl., Radio Free Asia‎, archived from the original on 29 January 2024:"I heard Winnie the Pooh was like garlic to a vampire to the Chinese commies," he said. "Popular arts and music, poetry, dancing and singing is a threat to those in power, and I'm really trying to bring back that rock-and-roll rebellious spirit into music, you know."
* (informal) Used to introduce information.
    You know, he's actually pretty nice.
** 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Engineering, SSV Normandy:Tali: You know, there's always a few who go on their Pilgrimages and never return. I always assumed something bad happened to them, but maybe they just wanted a different life.
** 2016, Voice of America, Learning English‎ (public domain), archived from the original on 2017-09-25:Audio (US):(file)You know, Pete, I am new to D.C. The city is big. — Yeah. But you learn a little more every day.
* Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see you,‎ know.

#### Alternative forms

* y'know, yunno (slang, pronunciation spelling)

#### Synonyms

* (generic fillers): right, like; er, erm, um
* (confirming attention, understanding, and/or agreement): you see, do you know what I'm saying, you know what I'm saying, right, eh, don't you know

#### Related terms

* if you know what I mean
* if you know, you know
* what do you know
* wouldn't you know it
* you know it
* you-know-what
* you know what
* you know what I mean
* you-know-who
* you never know

#### Translations
### References

* ↑ Douglas Harper (2001–2025) “know (v.)”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.

### Further reading

* “you know”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
* “you know” in Idioms and phrases, TheFreeDictionary.com, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.: Farlex, Inc., 2003–2025.